New Living Translation
2 Samuel 3:1
1That was the beginning of a long war between those who were loyal to Saul and those loyal to David. As time passed David became stronger and stronger, while Saul’s dynasty became weaker and weaker.
2 Samuel 3:1 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.
- New International Version (NIV)The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.
- English Standard Version (ESV)There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul became weaker and weaker.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. But David grew stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.
Context of 2 Samuel 3:1
That was the beginning of a long war between those who were loyal to Saul and those loyal to David. As time passed David became stronger and stronger, while Saul’s dynasty became weaker and weaker. 2These are the sons who were born to David in Hebron: The oldest was Amnon, whose mother was Ahinoam from Jezreel. 3The second was Daniel, whose mother was Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel. The third was Absalom, whose mother was Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur.
Read all of 2 Samuel 32 Samuel 3:1 word by word
וַתְּהִ֤י הַמִּלְחָמָה֙ אֲרֻכָּ֔ה בֵּ֚ין בֵּ֣ית שָׁא֔וּל וּבֵ֖ין בֵּ֣ית דָּוִ֑ד וְדָוִד֙ הֹלֵ֣ךְ וְחָזֵ֔ק וּבֵ֥ית שָׁא֖וּל הֹלְכִ֥ים וְדַלִּֽים׃ סRead the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for 2 Samuel 3:1
- 1 Kings 14:30There was constant war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam.
- 1 Kings 15:16There was constant war between King Asa of Judah and King Baasha of Israel.
- Genesis 3:15And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”
- Psalms 45:3Put on your sword, O mighty warrior! You are so glorious, so majestic!
- Matthew 10:35‘I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
- Galatians 5:17The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.
- Ephesians 6:12For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
- 2 Samuel 2:17A fierce battle followed that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by the forces of David.
- Esther 6:13When Haman told his wife, Zeresh, and all his friends what had happened, his wise advisers and his wife said, “Since Mordecai—this man who has humiliated you—is of Jewish birth, you will never succeed in your plans against him. It will be fatal to continue opposing him.”
- Job 8:7And though you started with little, you will end with much.
- Job 17:9The righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger.
- Psalms 84:7They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.
- Proverbs 4:18The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.
- Daniel 2:34As you watched, a rock was cut from a mountain, but not by human hands. It struck the feet of iron and clay, smashing them to bits.
- Revelation 6:2I looked up and saw a white horse standing there. Its rider carried a bow, and a crown was placed on his head. He rode out to win many battles and gain the victory.
Commentaries on 2 Samuel 3:1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1There was long war - Frequent battles and skirmishes took place between the followers of David and the followers of Ish-bosheth, after the two years mentioned above, to the end of the fifth year, in which Ish-bosheth was slain by Rechab and Baanah.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1David's power increases His family. (1-6) Abner revolts to David. (7-21) Joab kills Abner David mourns for him. (22-39) Verses 1-6 The length of this war tried the faith and patience of David, and made his settlement at last the more welcome. The contest between grace and corruption in the hearts of believers, may fitly be compared to this warfare. There is a long war between them, the flesh lusting against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1the war … was protracted: This civil war likely lasted for most of the more than seven years that David ruled from Hebron. The truce called by Joab and Abner did not last long (2 Samuel 2:26–28).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-52Sa 3:1-5. Six Sons Born to David. 1. there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David--The rival parties had varying success, but David's interest steadily increased; less, however, by the fortunes of war, than a growing adherence to him as the divinely designated king.Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Samuel 3:1
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Samuel 3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New Living Translation — © 1996, 2004, 2015 Tyndale House Foundation
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